What's inside
What's inside
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningPanthenol
Skin ConditioningLactic Acid
BufferingButylene Glycol
HumectantAminomethyl Propanol
BufferingSalicylic Acid
MaskingMethylpropanediol
SolventXanthan Gum
Emulsifying3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid
Skin ConditioningPolysorbate 20
EmulsifyingDextrin
AbsorbentPolydextrose
HumectantGlycerin
HumectantAmylopectin
Niacinamide
SmoothingDimethicone
EmollientLecithin
EmollientSclerotium Gum
Emulsion StabilisingPullulan
Ethylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningDisodium EDTA
Asiaticoside
AntioxidantMadecassic Acid
Skin ConditioningAsiatic Acid
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningMandelic Acid
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Panthenol, Lactic Acid, Butylene Glycol, Aminomethyl Propanol, Salicylic Acid, Methylpropanediol, Xanthan Gum, 3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Dextrin, Polydextrose, Glycerin, Amylopectin, Niacinamide, Dimethicone, Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Pullulan, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium EDTA, Asiaticoside, Madecassic Acid, Asiatic Acid, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Mandelic Acid, Phenoxyethanol
Water
Skin ConditioningZinc Carbonate
Zinc Oxide
Cosmetic ColorantPropylene Glycol
HumectantPropanediol
SolventCucumis Sativus Extract
Skin ConditioningHamamelis Virginiana Extract
AntiseborrhoeicSulfur
AntiseborrhoeicSalicylic Acid
MaskingLactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate
Skin ConditioningPhellodendron Amurense Bark Extract
Skin ConditioningSalix Alba Bark Extract
AstringentRehmannia Chinensis Root Extract
Skin ConditioningMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract
Skin ConditioningScutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract
AstringentHouttuynia Cordata Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycine Soja Seed Extract
Skin ConditioningGlycerin
HumectantDipropylene Glycol
HumectantButylene Glycol
HumectantGlyceryl Caprylate
EmollientDipotassium Glycyrrhizate
HumectantHydroxyacetophenone
AntioxidantCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSilica
AbrasivePEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingPEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil
EmulsifyingCamphor
MaskingGlycolic Acid
BufferingMenthol
MaskingDisodium EDTA
O-Cymen-5-Ol
AntimicrobialPhenoxyethanol
PreservativeWater, Zinc Carbonate, Zinc Oxide, Propylene Glycol, Propanediol, Cucumis Sativus Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana Extract, Sulfur, Salicylic Acid, Lactobacillus/Pear Juice Ferment Filtrate, Phellodendron Amurense Bark Extract, Salix Alba Bark Extract, Rehmannia Chinensis Root Extract, Melia Azadirachta Leaf Extract, Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract, Houttuynia Cordata Extract, Glycine Soja Seed Extract, Glycerin, Dipropylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Silica, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, PEG-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Camphor, Glycolic Acid, Menthol, Disodium EDTA, O-Cymen-5-Ol, Phenoxyethanol
Reviews
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Butylene Glycol (or BG) is used within cosmetic products for a few different reasons:
Overall, Butylene Glycol is a safe and well-rounded ingredient that works well with other ingredients.
Though this ingredient works well with most skin types, some people with sensitive skin may experience a reaction such as allergic rashes, closed comedones, or itchiness.
Learn more about Butylene GlycolDisodium EDTA is a chelating agent. It grabs onto and deactivates metal ions that sneak into your products from water, packaging, or air.
This ingredient mainly works behind the scenes and helps with:
On top of that, this ingredient can counteract the effects of hard water by binding to the minerals in it.
One thing worth knowing is that Disodium EDTA has been shown to be a mild penetration enhancer. It can help other ingredients absorb into skin more effectively which can be a double-edged sword (great for actives, but can also make the active too strong if you have sensitive skin).
Clinical patch testing showed no significant skin irritation at typical use concentrations and minimal dermal absorption.
You'll most likely see this ingredient near the end of an ingredient list. It's typically found in concentrations less than 1%.
Learn more about Disodium EDTAGlycerin (or glycerol) is a compound naturally found in your skin. It's a powerhouse humectant that pulls water into the stratum corneum.
Topically, glycerin does several things at once:
Your skin makes glycerin on its own (mostly from sebaceous oil breakdown) and shuttles it to your outermost layer of skin, or your epidermis, via aquaporin-3.
Aquaporin-3 is a transporter that is essential for normal skin hydration, elasticity, and repair. Interestingly, mice lacking in AQP3 have dry and less elastic skin that can be fully corrected with glycerin.
This ingredient is non-irritating, plays well with almost every ingredient, and works across all skin types. Typical use is anywhere between 3-10% but can go up to 79% in some leave-on products.
Just know very high concentrations (>40%) can feel tacky in low humidity.
Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.
Learn more about GlycerinMelia Azadirachta Leaf Extract is extract from the neem plant.
The leaves of this tree contain flavonoids and polyphenols. These two compounds are antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial. Further research is needed as to their effects when applied on skin.
Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is a well-known ingredient for treating skin that struggles with acne and clogged pores. It exfoliates both the skin's surface and deep within the pores to help clear out buildup, control oil, and reduce inflammation.
Unlike AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble. This allows it to penetrate into pores which makes it especially effective for treating blackheads and preventing future breakouts.
Salicylic acid is also known for its soothing properties. It has a similar structure to aspirin and can calm inflamed or irritated skin, making it a good option for acne-prone skin that is also sensitive.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing this ingredient into your routine.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun sensitivity, itβs still important to wear sunscreen daily to protect your skin.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidWater. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Remember to stay hydrated!
Learn more about Water